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UK: Retirement village developers and operators Elysian Residences and Audley Group have merged to create the UK’s largest retirement village provider, with a combined sales value exceeding £3 billion.
The newly formed group will encompass more than 30 villages—both operational and in development—comprising around 3,000 individual properties.
The merger has been backed by external institutional investment, though the investors have not been disclosed.
Nick Sanderson, chief executive and founder of Audley Group, said: “Investors have recognised the benefits of the long-term secure income stream that retirement villages offer. Now is the right time to capitalise on that interest and bring together aligned brands to create more operating villages.
“This sector needs scale – it is still very small given the size of the opportunity and the growing older population, and this is a first step to expediting the additional retirement housing units the country so desperately needs.”
The combined group will retain the three existing brands—Elysian, Audley Villages, and Mayfield Villages—each targeting different market segments.
Elysian and Audley will continue to expand their premium offerings, while the newer mid-market Mayfield brand is seen as having significant growth potential.
According to Savills, owner-occupiers aged 65 and over hold £2.6 trillion in net housing wealth, yet the UK retirement housing pipeline reached only 30,000 homes in 2024—well below the 50,000 annual target needed.
Knight Frank figures show that £1.25 billion was invested in the sector in 2024, with growth expected in 2025.
The new corporate entity will be led by Gavin Stein, chief executive and founder of Elysian Residences, with Nick Sanderson serving as chairman.
Highlights:
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Elysian Residences and Audley Group have merged to create the UK’s largest retirement village provider.
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The combined group has reached a sales value of more than £3 billion.
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It has brought together over 30 villages with around 3,000 properties.
